Omaha daily bee., 1887-12-26

garden, with tropical flowers in full
bloom all the year around, The streets
are wen paved with cemcnted side
walks. better kept than those OF our
great northern capitals. During winter
time it never rains, but fine
aoueduct. the work i'of Guzman Blanco.
keeps houses. gardens and fountains, OF
which there is ontS in every square, we'll
supplied with excellent water. Owing
to the many earthquakes which Caracas
experienced in bygthe days, the houses
are mostly one story, high. Except the
government buildilhts. there are very
few honses two stories high, and to my
knowledge none of three stories. Ele-
vators and staircase climbing are, there
fore unknown things in Caratas, as, in
deed. in the whole of Venezuela. One
would be liable to think these One-story
buildings. with their fiat roofs and long
rows of grated windows, would give the
streets Of Caracas a dreary appearance.
but nothing would be fur
ther from the truth, for windows and
and doors are all open, and, while the
latter permit a passing glimpse at the
beautiful flower beds and luXui1ant
platanas in the courtyard. the former
are usually adorned with flowers Of q
far superior kind, with beautiful senOr-
itas, whose like are not to be found all
over Central America. Caracas is de-
servedly far-famed for the beauty grace,
and elegance OF its ladies', but even the
highest expectation OF an unpOetical,
scientific traveller like myself fell far
below the truth.
was informed that, although there
are quite number of French dress
makers in Venezuela, the ladies them
selves are very well versed in the high
art of the centuriere. Nowhere in
America south of Washington and
north of probably Rio Janeiro have L
noticed such remarkable taste IN
decided advantage to the senoritas
of Mexico and Central America if
they would take their modes from
Caracas. The roboso, or Spanish veil,
has been discarded by the Caraquenas,
and very well made coquettish hats in
the ''latest" Partisan style have been
adopted. Rebosos are onlo worn by Il
few ladies of the middle clastes. espec-
tally on Sundays at church, while
women of the lower classes throw white
silk shawls over their heads. Negresses
wear here, as indeed all over the West
Indes, gaudy colored bandana handker-
chiefs wound around their heads.
Although the Plaza Bolivar is open to
ter it during concert hours. but content
themselves to listening to the music
outside the railing. Altogether have
rarely met with more docile, we'll
behaved people than the lower classes
of Venezuelanos. Theyare poor and ig-
norant, but at the same time honest and
kind hearted. Robberies are hardly
known in Caracas. The doors are
left open during the day, and
even at night they seem to
be closed only for fopnality's sake, but
not for projections. In my numerous
lonely walks through the streets at
night, not only in Caracas, but in other
towns, l never met disorderly or
night everything is quiet. The few
tramways crossing the city stop shortly
after 10 o'clock, and at midnight the
streets are absolutely deserted, remind
ing me often of similar streets with sim
liar houses in a city far away, at the
foot of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii.
AS in every smaller city-Caracas has
only $1,000 nhabitants-society is di-
vided into several lotteries. The official
world does not mingte with society, for
reasons which had better remain undis-
cussed, for have no desire to become
the ''Comte de Vasin'' of Caracas. The
u.
the minister of foreign affairs, is a plain
gentleman, formerly president of the
state of Carabobo, which office he
is destined to resume next spring, after
the new elections have taken place. He
is. of courss, like every Venezuelano of
standing, general. One sarcastic di-
plomast told me once at the Union club
of Caracas Ia gambling establishment
with small library for appearance
sake) that generals are as thick in Ven
ezuela as locusts. But fortunately they
are far more harmless than those in
sects. In order to meet the far-famed
beauties of the capital, one must assist
at some private entertainments, of which
here are great number. Every birth
day. every nameday, or other family
event. is "a most welcome occasion to in
vite friends for evening parties. 1t is
customary in Caracas to present the
heroine of the day with floral Offer
ings, the size and beauty of which
are truly astonishing. Bouquets, horse
shoes and flower baskets cover the
salons of a Caracas society belle, and l
am very much inclined to think may
young gentlemen of Caracas consult too
much their hearts instead of their
purses in such matters. Altogether, II
| good many people in Venzuela's capital
seem W NC unttWuTc VI lllc SIcdJ pIlHCl-
| pie of economyI-to spend less than they
earn. But after seeing the beauties Of
Venzuela Il can fully understand, and
even pardon, the weakness OF
the so-called stronger sex. Indeed,
entrenous soft dit, 1 myself
narrowly escaped following their
example. Such beautiful faces
such elegant figures, such graceful
manners as those of the ladies of Cara
cas- are seldom met with. They are
passionately fond OF dancing, are good
conversationalits and very experienced
firts, drawing quite innocently their
| web around the helpless victims of their
| grace and beauty. They have "a decid-
| edly good influence over the stronger
sex, and l only wish their influence
would be even more appreciated than it
actually is.
| The visitor from the United States, if
we'll introduced, will soon become a
| welcome member of these charmed So
cial circles, composed, hardly need
add, entirely of whites. Aside of
Spanish, many ladies of Caracas speak
French and English quite fuently.
They are well versed in Spanish and
French literature. but unfortunately
| NAnny,,1annS nan1act \, ~